Prue Leith has opened up about her future (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Bake Off's Prue Leith considers quitting TV due to 'not having enough life left to live'

by · Birmingham Live

Prue Leith has been judging The Great British Bake Off alongside Paul Hollywood since 2017, and shows no signs of slowing down, despite approaching her 85th birthday in just a few months time.

However, she admits that her "main concern" about growing older is "not having enough life left to live", as she still has so many goals to accomplish.

Opening up about her worries in her 2022 memoir, I'll Try Anything Once, author Dame Prue, 84, revealed she is keen to adapt her trilogy of books into a TV series, while also yearning to write a baking book inspired by her experiences on the Channel 4 show, but ageing has made her realise she'd "better get a move on".

Detailing her fears that she's running out of time, Prue wrote: "My main concern is not having enough life left to live. I feel as energetic and enthusiastic, or almost, as I ever did, but of course it can't last."

Prue worries about a future without her husband John (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Bake Off star Prue went on to admit she also has "nightmares" about the idea of losing her husband John Playfair, which has prompted the couple to try to live a healthier lifestyle in their later years, which can be tricky for the cook, as her role on the Channel 4 show requires her to sample sweet treats regularly.

She added: "I keep reading about overweight people dying of stroke or heart attack. John isn't fat, but he's definitely on the chubby side and I'm at least a stone overweight, so we make frequent, unsuccessful attempts to lose weight."

Contemplating her future career, Prue isn't rushing into retirement, but acknowledged: "Maybe one day I will finally abandon TV, forgo writing, give up social and charitable causes.

"Maybe then I'll settle down to reading all those books and watching all the classic movies I've missed. Maybe. Maybe I'll even be a better granny, remembering my grandchildren's birthdays and attending all their school concerts. Unlikely, but devoutly to be wished."

She optimistically concluded: "One thing's for sure: whatever I do, I hope I will do it with relish."

The Great British Bake Off continues tonight at 8pm on Channel 4.